Deputies arrest four in drug, weapons bust

Deputies recovered firearms, methamphetamine, and more than 50 live marijuana plants in an elaborate artificial growing operation on West Palm Street Thursday night, June 5, 2014.

According to a press release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies from the Altadena station’s Summer Violent Crime Enforcement program served a search warrant on the 500 block of West Palm Street in the early evening hours Thursday.

In addition to the drugs and two firearms, deputies also recovered “a large amount of items believed to be stolen, such as laptops and other electronic equipment,” the press release said.

Four suspects were arrested in the operation: Christopher Mesa, 26; Steven Mesa, 36; Jeffrey Ortiz, 29; and Lucero Rodriguez.  The four face a range of charges including cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, receiving stolen property, and outstanding narcotics-related warrants.  Steven Mesa was also charged with being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

The four remain in custody and charges will be presented to the district attorney’s office on June 9.  All four suspects are still in custody and waiting for their cases to be presented to the District Attorney’s Office on June 9th, 2014.  The press release said that Det. Jeff Lohmann is the lead detective in this case and is still trying to locate possible victims to some of the recovered property that is believed to be stolen.